Schlagwort-Archive: Ronald Belford „Bon“ Scott

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On the 19th February 1980, one of the most outstanding frontman in Rock passed away: AC/DC singer Ronald Belford „Bon“ Scott died after a heavy night’s drinking. He was found dead in the car of his friend Alistair Kinnear in East Dulwich, 67 Overhill Road, London (UK). Bon was 33 years old.

Alistair about this very sad and tragic night:
„The day before, we cruised in my car, a blue Renault 5, through London and attended several bars and discos. When we entered the club ‚Music Machine‘ it was appr. 1.30 a.m. and Bon was in a very good mood and had already some drinks. After two hours, he was completeley drunk and I took him to my car and we drove home. When we arrived at my place, it was 4 a.m. and I tried to wake him up. But he was in a very deep sleep. So I decided to leave him in the car sleeping. And I left him a note, that I am upstairs in my flat. When I woke up on the 19th February, Bon was not around. I watched outside my window and saw him still sleeping in my car. I walked downstairs and when I opened the car, Bon was lifeless and vomit was all around. I called the emergency doctor, who could not do anything for him anymore. Bon’s body was brought into the Kings Collage Hospital for an autopsy. It was too much boose for his body, it was out, it was finished.“

Bon Scott was – like Angus and Malcolm Young – born in Scotland (9th July 1946) and moved with his family to Australia in 1952. He started his music career in 1964 as the drummer and singer of The Spektors. In 1966, Bon founded the pop band The Valentines. After the break up in 1970, Scott started his new group Fraternity, a Progressive Rock formation. And in 1974, Bon replaced Dave Evans as the lead singer of AC/DC. „Highway to Hell“ (1979) is the last LP featuring Bon’s unique singing. After the tragic death, the Young brothers decided to go on and with new singer Brian Johnson the comeback album „Back in Black“ was recorded and released in July 1980. This LP is still the second best-selling album of all time, only behind Michael Jackson’s megaseller „Thriller„.

On the 17th February 1975, the AC/DC debut “High Voltage” was released in Australia. It’s still a collector’s item because the international version of this album is completely different, which features only the two songs “She’s got Balls” and “Little Lover”. Four more tracks were available later for the fans outside Australia on the EP “’74Jailbreak” in 1984. There you can find the rarities “You ain’t got a hold on me”, “Show Business”, “Soul Stripper” and the cover “Baby, please don’t go“. At least, the last two tunes from the Australian version of „High Voltage, the tunes “Stick around” and “Love Song”, were finally released on the international compilation „Backtracks“ (2009).

All eight songs were recorded in November 1974 at the Albert Studios in Sydney, Australia. Produced by Vanda & Young (Harry Vanda and the older brother of Angus und Malcolm, George Young). The duo was a member of the successful popband The Easybeats and they were also the main songwriters for their big hit „Friday on My Mind“ (1966).

On the 18th January 1991, a tragic accident happened during the AC/DC show at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah: At the beginning of the show, fans rushed the stage and due to the pushing and shoving three people were being trampled and killed. It took appr. 20 minutes before the security and the band recognised about this horrible incident, before stopping the concert.

In a band statement, AC/DC told that “nothing anyone can say or do will diminish the tragic loss or sense of grief” and they offered their “heartfelt sympathy” to the families. Singer Brian Johnson was so under a strain, that he couldn’t slept for a week. The families of the three killed teenaagers have settled out of court with AC/DC. As a result of this incident, no more festival seatings were installed for future events at the Salt Palace.

The ten new songs were recorded in Paris from May until September 1981 and it was the third and final produced AC/DC album by Robert John „Mutt“ Lange, who also worked on the milestones „Highway to Hell“ (1979) and „Back in Black“ (1980). Early spanish vinyl releases of „For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)“ have a slightly different cover art wortk: On these editions, the colours are reveresed (gold canon on black background).

„For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)“ is the eight studio album by the band and it was sold over 4 million times in the USA. Singles outtake were the title track and „Let’s get it up„. These both releases feature several live tracks from 1981 on the flip sides.

Before Cliff Williams joined AC/DC he played in the British bands Home and Bandit. His first studio album with AC/DC was „Powerage„, which was released on 5th May 1978. SInce then his playing can be heard on all AC/DC LPs – also on the latest release „Rock or Bust„, which hit the stores on the 28th November 2014 and went to No.1 in several countries like Austria, Germany and Canada.

But Chris Slade is best known for his drumming for AC/DC from 1989 to 1994. He joined in November 1989 and took over the place from Simon Wright. In this period he recorded the studio album „The Razors Edge“ (1990). His powerful drumming is also featured on the releases „Live“ (released 1992), „Big Gun“ (1993 – Single for the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie „Last Action Hero„) and „Live at Donington“ (recorded 1991 – DVD). During the recording sessions for the next AC/DC album „Ballbreaker“ (1995), Malcolm Young told him, that the band wanted to do a reunion with former drummer Phil Rudd. Chris Slade about his time with AC/DC: „It was an honour and a privilege to play with those guys.“

In 2015, Chris Slade returned to AC/DC and took over the place from Phil Rudd again, who get into big legal troubles.The official band’s announcement: “Chris Slade will be on drums for the upcoming Rock or Bust world tour.”